Hamisha Humshei Torah im Targum … Rashi ve-Kitzur Mizrahi …Megillot…Haftorot…, Riva di Trento: Jacob Marcaria, 1561

370 leaves (11  1/4  x 7  1/2  in.; 285 x 190 mm). Foliated in four sections: 281, 46, 14, 29, some folios misbound. Title page and f. 141 supplied in facsimile, unbound. Soiled and stained. Losses at margins and corners of many leaves, ocassionally affecting text, especially at end; some leaves creased and torn, a few with tape repairs. Modern black pebbled cloth.

For a few years in the middle of the sixteenth century (1557-1564), a Hebrew press was active in Riva del Garda (Riva di Trento) under the management of Jacob Marcaria, a physician. Marcaria's activities were undertaken with the permission of the Prince-Bishop of Trent, Cardinal Cristoforo Madruzzo and some of the editions apparently enjoyed his patronage. Marcaria was the guiding force behind the press and apparently served as editor for almost all of the books, designing and drafting the title pages and writing prefaces for many of the works. The output of the press was eclectic--ranging from major halakhic texts to controversial philosophical works, and also including popular ethical works, and liturgical and other ritual works. The present lot comprises the Pentateuch accompanied by the popular Aramaic translation (Targum) as well as the commentary of the twelfth century exegete, Rabbi Solomon ben Isaac and a super-commentary by Rabbi Elijah Mizrahi (1455 – 1525.) The volume also includes the Five Scrolls, with commentaries by Rashi and Rabbi Isaac Arama (1420 – 1494.) Finally, the various Haftarot or additional prophetic readings are also included. This useful synagogue volume contained the lectionary of all necessary biblical readings for the entire year as well as rabbinic commentaries designed to aid in understanding the texts. (Vinograd Riva di Trento, 29.)